Nuno’s success comes as great relief

SEATTLE — While Mike Montgomery has been garnering considerable attention for his transition from a starting role to a standout lefty in the Mariners’ bullpen, another Seattle southpaw has been quietly going about his business in equally impressive fashion.

Veteran Vidal Nuno has put up even better numbers than Montgomery to this point, with a 1.08 ERA and 20 strikeouts with just one walk in 16 2/3 innings over 19 appearances. Like Montgomery, Nuno was primarily a starter in the past, though he pitched in relief at times for both the Yankees and D-backs before being acquired by Seattle in midseason last year.

Nuno’s numbers clearly have been better in relief, however. He’s 4-17 with a 4.31 ERA in 41 Major League starts compared to 0-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 49 games out of the bullpen. The Mariners told Nuno he’d be a reliever from the start this spring and he has thrived.

“I wanted a role, and had to do good, so that really helped,” said Nuno, who like Montgomery is out of Minor League options and needed to make the 25-man roster in Spring Training. “I worked on my changeup and I’m throwing that a little more now instead of just my fastball. Previous years …

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